Missouri House Approves Tax Breaks for Crisis Pregnancy Center Donations 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 14, 2006
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — The Missouri state House has approved a measure that could become a legislative proposal in other states. It has allowed donors to crisis pregnancy centers to be eligible for state tax breaks as long as the donation go to groups that do not perform abortions or refer women to places that do.
The legislation allows a tax write-off of half of the value of a donation made between $100 and $50,000. The state would limit the tax write-offs to a total of $2 million in donations annually.
The House backed the measure on a 125-32 vote and it now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Last year both chambers agreed on the legislation but they could not resolve the differences in the bill and a final version never made it to the governor.
Sam Lee of Campaign Life Missouri told the Associated Press that there about 60 60 pregnancy centers throughout the state that provide women with pregnancy tests, counseling, shelter, baby needs and other practical resources and help.
He indicated the bill would boost donations and provide more help for pregnant women.
According to the AP report, Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican who opposes abortion, backs the legislation. Lee said he didn’t think it would be difficult to get the Senate to sign off on the bill and send it to Blunt.
"I don’t expect a problem with getting enough votes in the Senate, but there’s always the concern about a filibuster on the Senate floor," he said.
The Department of Social Services would administer the tax credits, which would be allowed over the next six years. The credits expire after four years and can be used on both business and individual taxes.
Related web sites:
Missouri State Legislature – https://www.moga.mo.gov
